Chaeto in my refugium how much is too much?

[shwstpr88]

so my refugium is about a little over 1/3 of my 55 gallon tank. I have a 4in sand bed only a couple rocks and HAD a small ball of chaeto. Well now that chaeto ball is about half the refugium. So how much is too much chaeto? Also seems like my amphipods and copepods love to make a home of it. Any advise on when I need to downsize my macro algae? Thanks!

 

[jetskiking]

I like mine to be about the size you have now. I start trimming when it gets larger.

 

[jackri]

My fuge sections are crammed with cheato -- which is probably the too much point and needs trimming. LOL so if it doesn't have room to grow it's time to trim

 

[nycbob]

its time to trim back when ur cheato cant tumble or grow anymore.

 

[caspervtx]

Originally Posted by shwstpr88
http:///forum/post/3128496
so my refugium is about a little over 1/3 of my 55 gallon tank. I have a 4in sand bed only a couple rocks and HAD a small ball of chaeto.
May I ask a silly question - you said your refugium is 1/3 of your 55 gallon tank. Is this your Display tank? If so do you have pictures of how you have this set up.
This is the first instance I've ever read that appears as if somone put a refugium in the DT.

 

[xcdennisx]

i usually trim mine abou once every two week cause it grows like weeds. jus keep enough so it tumbles and throw the rest out.

 

[spanko]

And remember that if you are using the Chaetomorpha for nutrient export, the nutrient has not been exported until you remove some of the algae from the tank. Anything that may cause the algae to start to die will release the pent up nutrients back into the system.
It need water flowing through the ball, and to have light penetrate into the ball in order to grow well.

 

[scsinet]

Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3133253
And remember that if you are using the Chaetomorpha for nutrient export, the nutrient has not been exported until you remove some of the algae from the tank. Anything that may cause the algae to start to die will release the pent up nutrients back into the system.
It need water flowing through the ball, and to have light penetrate into the ball in order to grow well.
Doesn't the macro end up exporting some of the nutrients into the atmosphere as nitrogen gas? I seem to remember reading that someplace.
Not to impugn on what you're saying though... I agree with you.

 

[spanko]

Have not read that algae release nitrogen gas into the atmosphere but will do some research to see what can be found. You don't remember where you read that do you?
Great word impugn!!!!!

 

[scsinet]

Can't say that I remmber, no. If it stuck in my head it was probably someplace I consider authoritative... it's not like I heard it from a guy at ***** or anything.
Using big words makes me sound like I have a clue what I'm talking about.

 

[jetskiking]

Its not algea, Its bacteria that has the ability to denitrify.